Walking distance – there are a number of good walks around the house, either cross-country or along dirt tracks.

5 mins by car
The local village can be seen from the house and is called Lavre, a charming typical Alentejo village with narrow cobbled streets and tiny whitewashed houses. Modern features are 2 good restaurants (one cheap and one not so), a small supermarket and best of all, a bakery serving freshly baked bread all week long. There are also 2 tennis courts available to rent nearby.

10 mins by car
A local lake is home to the Ciborro water-ski school
A wildlife park nearby has a small but fun selection of non-dangerous species, including zebras, and children’s play areas – good family fun
Stork city – a famous local viewing spot where a colony of up to 30 storks nest all year round

20 mins by car
Montemor-o-Novo – A small town with supermarkets, restaurants, and a hill-top castle

30 mins by car
Estremoz – Another hill-top castle ruin
Vineyards – a number of vineyards where wine tasting and wine-buying can be done.

45 mins by car
Evora – a World Heritage town with a fabulous roman wall around the old town – a day trip must.
Golf – 3 or 4 excellent courses near Lisbon

1 hr by car
Lisbon – No end of sightseeing
Beaches – The Alentejo beaches are spectacular and largely deserted most of the year.

What you need to bring
There are good supermarkets in the nearby towns, so there is very little that is unavailable

What you don’t need to bring
Hairdryers
Towels
Bed linen
We provide a Welcome Pack of basic foodstuffs for your arrival, including bread, milk, cereal, crisps, fruit, eggs, butter, ham, cheese etc. We also provide a starter-kit of our choice of local red and white wine, plus beer, fruit juice and water. The local restaurant also does a takeaway service.